Special Interest Organizations

Advocacy
and Awareness

Athlete Ally, UpstateThe mission of Upstate Athlete Ally is to create and foster
an environment in which all members of the Upstate athletic community feel safe
and comfortable being who they are regardless of gender identity, gender
expression and/or sexual orientation. The main mission of Upstate Athlete Ally is to end homophobia, biphobia
and transphobia in sports by educating and empowering straight and LGBT members
of the Upstate campus and athletic communities to create a safe and welcoming
athletic environment. For more information, contact Jim Griffis at 864-503-5660.

American Sign
Language ClubThe American Sign Language Club helps raise awareness and
understanding of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (H.o.H.) cultures and the
language to the public. Individuals will have opportunities to gain a better
understanding of the language, as well as, the culture it is derived from. The
club will provide opportunities for participants to come and improve their
language skills in a safe, educational environment by offering simulative
workshops, booths and social events within the University of South Carolina
Upstate’s campus community. For more information, contact Sarah Hunt-Barron at
864-503-5644.

Disability Acceptance,
Awareness and Advocacy (DA3, formerly NAMI)DA3’s
mission is to promote acceptance of disability and mental illness on campus,
raise awareness
of the culture and history surrounding disability and mental illness, and advocate
on behalf of students with disabilities and mental illnesses through
educational events,
peer led support groups and promotion of and assistance utilizing resources both on and off campus. For more information, contact Elizabeth Jodoin at 864-503-5195.

Gay-Straight Alliance (formerly PRISM)Prism is a support group created for the LGBTQ students, faculty, staff and allies at USC Upstate. We value respect, togetherness and knowledge. Prism is a safe place on campus to build new relationships, talk about LGBTQ issues and share what we know as well as to confide in one another through our support groups. As an organization, we hope to serve you with support, fun and education about the LGBTQ community. For more information, contact Ron Patane at 864-503-5323.

National Association
of Colored People (NAACP)The mission of the USC Upstate Collegiate chapter of the NAACP is to
ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of
all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. For more
information, contact Michael Moton
at 864-503-5333.

Non-Traditional
Student Assembly (NTSA) The mission of the Non-Traditional Student Assembly is to
encourage and coordinate support, education and advocacy for the adult
learner. For more information contact, Lizbeth
Zack at 864-503-5739.

Student Veterans
Association (SVA)The mission of the USC Upstate Student Veterans Association
is to connect veterans with resources needed for success and cultivate a
veteran supportive environment. For more information, contact Tina Herzberg at 864-503-5572.

#WeNeedToTalk#WeNeedToTalk is a movement that promotes culture, consciousness,and social development through insightful and introspective discussion forums, networking events and seminars. We focus on issues that divide humanity economically, socially, culturally and politically by bringing people of different walks of life together through open and frank discussions. For more information, contact Michelle Garland.

Event Programming

Campus
Activities Board (CAB)The purpose of CAB is to involve students in creating and
planning social events for the campus community. CAB aims to provide a diverse
range of programs for students that allow them to develop socially, while
simultaneously attempting to create a more unified campus. CAB serves as the
student-led programming branch of the Office of Student Life. For more
information contact CAB at 864-503-5122.

Multicultural

A. Bevy ProductionsThe purpose of A. Bevy Productions, Inc. at USC Upstate is to provide a means for progressive focus and to incite an exponential increase in the growth for one's self, community and world. This shall be done through the purpose-filled events and fundraisers throughout the USC Upstate community. For more information, contact Ebony Smith at 864-503-5966.

Black Student Leaders
(BSL)Black Student Leaders (BSL) strives to increase cultural
awareness, foster harmonious interracial relations among all the members of the
University community, and promote the development of its members as
individuals. Annual participation in a variety of Black History Month and
annual sponsorship of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week activities highlights the group’s
active contributions to campus life. BSL is open to all students. For more
information contact Daphnie Glenn at
864-503-5427.

Hispanic Awareness
Association (HAA)The purpose of the Hispanic Awareness Association (HAA) is
to provide support and guidance of Hispanic students and to educate and share
the many facets of Hispanic culture with USC Upstate. HAA is open to all
students. For more information contact Shannon Polchow at 864-503-5654.

International ClubThe International Club strives to help others realize the
values of other cultures and help the international students adjust to and
navigate through American culture. The International Club is open to all
students. For more information contact Patrick
McCleary at 864-503-5675.

Study Abroad AssociationThe purpose of the Study Abroad Association is to provide an environment in which returning study abroad students are able to actively share their experiences with individuals and the campus-at-large through peer mentoring and various cultural, service and social activities. For more information, contact Patrick McCleary.

Publications

Carolinian, The The
Carolinian is the bi-monthly campus newspaper. It contains a wealth of
information pertaining to student life, such as club news, athletic results,
upcoming events, interesting features and much more. The Carolinian is
published entirely by students, and the staff is always looking for news and
feature writers, sports reporters, photographers and advertising
representatives. For more information contact Allison Ludwig or David Wallace.

writersINCwritersINC
is the annual, student-run, literary journal of USC Upstate. It features
literature submitted by writers from both USC Upstate and various neighboring
two-year institutions. Our aim is simple: to provide a literary outlet
which furthers the ideals of free literary expression and embodies the
individual talent found in the student body. For more information, contact writersINC at
864-503-5836.

Political

College Democrats at UpstateCollege Democrats strive to introduce and educate Upstate Students on the ideas and platforms of the Democratic party, to inform students and to create interest in politics. For more information, contact Trevor Rubenzer at 864-503-5633.

College Republicans
at UpstateThe College Republicans makes known and promotes the
principles of the Republican Party among students at USC Upstate. Members aid
in the election of Republican candidates at all levels of government and
recruit USC Upstate students as members of the Republican Party. The group also
works to develop political skills and leadership abilities among students as
preparation for future service by them to the party and the community. For more
information, contact Jim Griffis
at 864-503-5660.

Sports &
Recreation

Fishing Team, UpstateThe Upstate Fishing Team is a team for angling enthusiasts
that strive to pursue collegiate tournaments as well as to enjoy the sport here
in local lakes. This team is made up of students, faculty and staff to enhance
the overall college experience and networking with other anglers. For more
information contact Mark Ritter at
864-503-5939.

Jiu
Jitsu ClubBased
on techniques that have evolved over hundreds of years, Shorinji Kan Jiu Jitsu
provides an extremely effective self-defense system against virtually any
attacker, unarmed or otherwise. This system, taught in a friendly club
atmosphere, can be used by anyone irrespective of strength, weight or gender.
All you need to start is loose clothing. The club meets twice a week and
progressively builds upon lessons learned throughout the semester. For more
information contact Michael
Mallen.

Spartan Warriors
Dance Team, UpstateThe Upstate Spartan Warriors Dance team, is an organization
that brings school spirit with dance. We perform jazz, hip-hip, contemporary
and other dance styled routines at school events. We strive to put forth our best
effort and bring out the Spartan in the students and community. For more
information, contact Christi
Stanton.

Volleyball Club,
UpstateThe purpose of the USC Upstate Club Volleyball Team is to
give former high school volleyball players a competitive league to play
in. This club is created for those who
are passionate about volleyball and would love the opportunity to increase
their competitive level of play! For more information contact Mark Ritter at 864-503-5939.

Student
Governance

Student
Government Association (SGA)The USC Upstate Student Government Association (SGA) is a
self-governing entity of the student body. It is the primary liaison between
students, faculty and administration. SGA is your voice on campus. For more
information contact SGA at 864-503-5122.

Volunteer

IMPACTIMPACT, a community service organization, helps unite the
campus and community by promoting good relations among students, faculty
members and administrators, and serves as the student-led community service
branch of the Office of Student Life. Community service opportunities may
include, but are not limited to: monthly service projects in the Greater
Spartanburg Area, Spartan Day of Service, annual Fall Break Day of Service,
Haunted Hollow, Angel Tree and Annual Alternative Spring Break (ASB).For more
information contact IMPACT at
864-503-5122.

Other

Anime ClubThe Anime Club exists to provide students an opportunity to
meet other individuals interested in Japanese anime and to promote the
understanding of animation. For more information contact David Coberly at 864-503-5830.

Avant Garde Fashion
Guild, TheThe Avant Garde Fashion Guild
is for the forward thinking, fashionably aware, business savvy individuals
wishing to make new avenues in the fashion and art industry. By combining art,
fashion, and business concepts into one, we turn an art form of outward
expression into a business platform of endless possibilities. For more
information, contact Daphnie Glenn
at 864-503-5427.

Chapter ChatThe purpose of Chapter Chat is to immerse its members into the
world of books. Each member will have a chance to read and lead discussions on
a book of his/her choosing. This club is great for anyone who likes to read,
discuss literature and have fun! For more information contact Tasha Thomas at 864-503-5653.

Community GardenThe USC Upstate Community Garden (started in June 2013)
recently expanded its footprint on campus due to a generous grant from Mrs.
Patricia Moore-Pastides (wife of USC System President Harris Pastides) to
include space that was once occupied by one of the portable classroom buildings
(Annex 1). As such, we now have seven beds in the original garden and four more beds
in the expansion phase that can be adopted by a team from the USC Upstate
community (faculty, staff, students and alumni). There is no cost to use the
plots, but you will need to provide your own seeds/plants. We have a variety of
fertilizers and tools which garden members are free to use. For more
information, contact Chris Bender
at 864-503-5755.

Future Filmmakers
ClubThe Future Filmmakers Club allows students to have an
interest in one area of film to experience the process of filmmaking. Members
write, shoot and edit short films. Members also view and critique new and old
films while discussing the elements of filmmaking. For more information contact
Peter Caster at 864-503-5677.

Knit & Crochet
Club, UpstateBring
friends and crochet and knit with us! We can teach you the basics of crocheting
and knitting so don't be afraid to join! It's easy to learn, fun, relaxing and
best of all it's free! Many of our projects that we make together as a club
will be donated to local charities. For more information contact Cindy
Griffis at 864-503-5560.

Student Alumni Council (SAC)The Student Alumni Council (SAC) was established in 2010 to foster the “Spartan Spirit,” and present leadership opportunities to both alumni and students of the University of South Carolina Upstate. For more information, contact Stephen Frey at 864-503-5306.

The University of South Carolina Upstate is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of USC Upstate. Comments or Complaints?